Storage systems for pickup trucks and other vehicles

ABSTRACT

A storage system for a pickup truck or similar vehicle including a bow and storage compartment that has two panels. The bow is mounted between the side walls of the vehicle to extend over the bed of the vehicle. A first of the two panels of the storage compartment is supported on the bow and depends substantially vertically downwardly. The second panel is attached to the first panel and extends rearwardly over the bed toward the tailgate. In use, loose items such as grocery bags can be placed on the second panel of the storage compartment and with the tailgate closed, the items will be held securely and safely in place between the first panel of the storage compartment and the closed tailgate. Tracks or channels can also be provided in rails on the side walls of the vehicle to receive and secure storage containers for the loose items.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/197,653 filed Apr. 17, 2000 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/201,172 filed May 1, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to the field of storage systems for pickuptrucks and other vehicles.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background

[0005] Pickup trucks and vehicles such as sport utility ones are verypopular and can be used to transport not only passengers but alsosignificant amounts of cargo. However, when such cargo is loose orincludes relatively small items such as grocery bags, a problem candevelop in that the items are not secured in place. Consequently, theycan slide around and tip over for example in the pickup box,particularly when the driver makes sharp turns or brakes. This can causedamage not only to the items but also to the box of the pickup truckitself. Such loose items if small enough can be transported in the cabinof the truck but this takes up valuable passenger space. Rigid tool orstorage boxes can be provided in and across the pickup bed (typicallydirectly behind the cabin) for the loose items. However, such tool boxesare fairly difficult to access from the sides of the truck, take upstorage space if not completely filled, and are not easily removable ifit is desired to use the full area of the pickup truck bed.

[0006] With the above mind, the storage systems of the present inventionwere developed. In one system, a storage compartment is providedimmediately forward of the tailgate of the vehicle to securely hold thetransported items in place. The storage compartment can be supported onits own bow extending between the side walls of the vehicle or can beintegrated into a tonneau or other cover. In another system, tracks orchannels are provided in rails on the side walls of the vehicle toreceive and securely hold storage containers in which the loose itemscan be placed during transport. The rails can also be integrated intothe retaining arrangement for a tonneau or other cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention involves storage systems for pickup trucks andsimilar vehicles. One system includes a bow and storage compartment thathas two panels. The bow is mounted between the side walls of the vehicleto extend over the bed of the vehicle. A first of the two panels of thestorage compartment is supported on the bow and depends substantiallyvertically downwardly from it to the bed. The second panel is attachedto the first panel and extends rearwardly over the bed toward thetailgate. In use, loose items such as grocery bags can be placed on thesecond panel of the storage compartment and with the tailgate closed,the items will be held securely and safely in place between the firstpanel of the storage compartment and the closed tailgate. In anothersystem, the storage compartment is integrated into a tonneau cover andin an additional system, tracks or channels are provided in rails on theside walls of the vehicle to receive and secure storage containers forthe loose items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with one of the storagesystems of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle of the FIG. 1 with the tailgateopen to provide rear access to the storage compartment without having toremove the tonneau cover.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the storage compartmentof the present invention in use to receive loose items such as grocerybags.

[0011]FIG. 4 illustrates a feature of the present invention in whichdivider sections are provided to form subcompartments for holding andretaining items.

[0012]FIG. 5 illustrates the divider sections of FIG. 4 in theirretracted positions flush against the vertical panel of the storagecompartment.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a view of the panels of the storage compartment takengenerally along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 7 illustrates one manner in which the flexible panels of thestorage compartment can be rolled up on themselves and secured adjacentthe support bow.

[0015]FIG. 8 illustrates another manner in which the flexible panels ofthe storage compartment can be rolled up about the bow and secured inplace.

[0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the storagecompartment is integrally attached to a soft tonneau cover.

[0017] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a manner in which the panels of thestorage compartment of FIG. 9 can be folded on themselves and secured tothe underside of the soft tonneau cover in an out of the way position.

[0018]FIG. 13 is a view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 1 illustratinghow the tonneau cover can be mounted on the front wall of the vehiclebox.

[0019]FIG. 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 1 showing how thetonneau cover can be mounted on a rail suspended adjacent the tailgate.

[0020]FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing how the tonneau covercan be mounted on the side wall rails. FIG. 15 also shows a storagesystem including channels or tracks in each rail on the side walls forreceiving and securing storage containers.

[0021]FIG. 16 illustrates a locking arrangement for the lower channel ofFIG. 15.

[0022]FIG. 17 illustrates an array of containers positioned in the boxof the vehicle using the channels or tracks of the storage system ofFIG. 15.

[0023]FIG. 18 is a view of the storage system of FIG. 15 adapted tosupport a bicycle rack in the channels or tracks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the preferred storage system of thepresent invention provides a convenient storage compartment 1 at therear of the box 2 of the vehicle 4 that can be easily and quicklyaccessed by opening the vehicle's tailgate 6 (FIGS. 2-3). Smaller itemssuch as the grocery bags 8 in FIG. 3 can then be placed in thecompartment 1 and with the tailgate 6 closed as in FIG. 1, the itemswill be held safely and securely in place as the vehicle 4 is driven.The vehicle 4 as shown for illustrative purposes is a pickup truck witha box 2 formed by two, spaced-apart side walls 10, front wall 12, andtailgate 6 in the closed position of FIG. 1. The tailgate 6 as shown ismounted for movement about a horizontal axis 14 (see FIG. 2) but couldbe pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis. Additionally,the pickup truck 4 could be any similar vehicle such as a sport utilityone whose liftgate operates as a tailgate and whose cargo area isenclosed or covered by the vehicle body itself or a separate privacycover.

[0025] The preferred storage system of FIGS. 1-3 includes a bow 3mounted to the side walls 10 of the vehicle 4. The bow 3 extends betweenthe side walls 10 and above the floor or bed 16 of the vehicle 4. Thepreferred storage system also includes the storage compartment 1 whichhas first and second panels 5 and 7 made of flexible, foldable materialsuch as fabric, canvas, or vinyl. The first panel 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 2)is supported on the bow 3 to preferably extend substantially between theside walls 10. The panel 5 also depends substantially verticallydownwardly from the bow 3 to a first location adjacent the vehicle bed16. This location as illustrated in FIG. 1 is forward of the closedtailgate 6. The second, flexible panel 7 is attached to the first panel5 and extends rearwardly as shown over the bed 16 toward the tailgate 6.

[0026] In operation, items to be stored and transported can be easilyand quickly placed on the second panel 7 through the tailgate opening 6′in FIGS. 2 and 3. With the tailgate 6 then closed as in FIG. 1, theitems can be safely and securely held in place between the first panel 5of the storage compartment 1 and the closed tailgate 6.

[0027] For smaller loads or to more securely hold the individual itemsin place, the storage compartment 1 as illustrated in FIG. 4 can beprovided with one or more divider sections 9. The divider sections 9 arepreferably made of flexible, foldable material and are shown as beingtriangular but could be of any desired shape. The divider sections 9 arepreferably attached to the first panel 5 along the back edge or leg 11and held in place on the second panel 7 at 13 (e.g., by a clip andD-ring pair, loop and hook fastener, or similar arrangement). In use,the divider sections 9 can be positioned as shown in FIG. 4 to createsmaller, subcompartments on either side. When not needed, the dividersections 9 can be easily and quickly disconnected at 13 from the secondpanel 7 and moved to positions flush against the first panel 5 as inFIG. 5. The divider sections 9 can then be secured in these flushpositions by attachments at 15 in manners similar to the attachments at13.

[0028] The second panel 7 of the storage compartment 1 can be secured inplace over the rear of the vehicle bed 16 in any number of manners. Inthe preferred embodiment, strips 19 of material (see FIGS. 1-3) areattached to the second panel 7 and extend rearwardly therefrom. Inoperation, the strips 19 are positioned between the tailgate 6 and thevehicle bed 16 to be pinched therebetween when the tailgate 6 is closed.This aids in positively anchoring the panels 5 and 7 of the storagecompartment 1 in place.

[0029] The storage compartment 1 of FIGS. 1-5 is preferably not attachedto the tonneau cover 21. Rather, the storage compartment 1 isindependently supported by the bow 3 which extends substantiallyhorizontally between the side walls 10. In this manner as explained inmore detail below, the tonneau cover 21 is separately and independentlymountable to extend over the entire bed 16 of the vehicle 4 includingover the storage compartment 1. In one mode of operation with thetonneau cover 21 remaining in place as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, thetailgate 6 can be opened (FIGS. 2-3) to provide rear access to thestorage compartment 1 through the tailgate opening 6′ between the sidewalls 10. As shown, this can be done without having to remove orotherwise manipulate the tonneau cover 21. Further, as is evident, thestorage compartment 1 can also be used if the tonneau cover 21 isremoved or rolled forward. Direct access to the storage compartment 1can then be obtained from above without having to open the tailgate 6.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 6-8 and when it is desirable to have theflexible panels 5 and 7 of the storage compartment 1 out of the way, thepanels 5 and 7 can be rolled up on themselves in the manner of FIG. 7and secured by ties 21 adjacent or against the bow 3. The panels 5 and 7could also be rolled up around the bow 3 as in FIG. 8 and secured byties 21. Either way, the rolled up panels 5 and 7 and bow 3 can then beleft in place or as explained in more detail below, the bow 3 withpanels 5 and 7 secured thereto can be easily and quickly removed as aunit from between the side walls 10 and placed in the box 2 of thevehicle 4 or otherwise stored remotely.

[0031] As indicated above, the storage compartment 1 is preferablyseparate and independent of the tonneau cover 21. However, asillustrated in FIGS. 9-12, the storage compartment 1′ could bephysically integrated or attached to the soft tonneau cover 21. As shownin FIG. 10, the first panel 5′ of the storage compartment 1′ in thisembodiment is attached to the underside of the tonneau cover 21 at 27. Abow is not necessarily needed for the attachment of the panel 5′ at 27;however, both the tonneau cover 21 and the panel 5′ could be attached toa bow and each other at 27 if desired. In use, the panels 5′ and 7′ arepositioned as shown in FIG. 10 to form the storage compartment 1′. Whennot in use or when desired, the flexible panels 5′ and 7′ can be rolledup against or adjacent the underside of the tonneau cover 21 as in FIG.7 and held in place by ties depending from the tonneau cover 21. Thepanels 5′ and 7′ could also be rolled or folded up out of the way asillustrated in FIGS. 10-12. In the out of the way position of FIG. 12,the panel 7′ is attached at 31 to the underside of the tonneau cover 21(e.g., by hook and loop fastener, snaps, or the like).

[0032] In FIGS. 1-12, the soft tonneau cover 21 of the preferredembodiments is removably mounted to extend over the entire bed 16 of thevehicle from the front wall 12 to the tailgate 6 and between the sidewalls 10. The walls 10 and 12 extend upwardly from the bed 16 as shownand as indicated above, the walls 10 and 12 together with the closedtailgate 6 form the box 2. The tonneau cover 21 can be removably mountedover the box 2 and bed 16 in any number of manners. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 13, the front of the tonneau cover 21 can beattached to the rail 33 on the front wall 12 of the box 2 by a P-welt orarrangement of a dowel 35 and C-shaped channel 37. For attachment to therear rail 39 which is suspended between the side walls 10 at thetailgate 6 (see FIGS. 3 and 14), a substantially rigid belt 41 ispreferably secured (e.g., sewn) to the rear edge of the tonneau cover21. The belt 41 in FIG. 14 is then removably receivable in the groove 43in the rail 39. Preferably, the tonneau cover 21 is removably attachedin a similar manner to the rails 45 (see FIG. 15) on the tops of theside walls 10. Other attachments such as snaps or hook and loopfasteners could be used as well.

[0033] The soft tonneau cover 21 is preferably made of a single,continuous sheet or piece of flexible, foldable material (e.g., fabric,canvas, or vinyl) that is slightly elastic and stretchable.Consequently, in use as illustrated in FIG. 14, the tip portion of thebelt 41 can be inserted into the mouth of the groove 43 by initiallystretching the slightly elastic cover 21 to place the belt 41 in thedotted position of FIG. 14. The belt 41 can then be manually rotated orpivoted using the upper edge of the groove 43 as a fulcrum to gainleverage. This will further stretch and tension the cover 21 wherein thecover 21 will thereafter essentially draw the belt 41 into the groove 43to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 14. The belt 41 will thusbe firmly held in place under the residual tension in the stretched,resilient cover 21. The rails 33, 39, and 45 if desired could be moldeddirectly into the respective walls 10 and 12 and the top of the tailgate6.

[0034] As also illustrated in FIG. 15, the side rails 45 preferably havechannels or tracks 49 and 51 to respectively receive the bow 3 of thestorage compartment 1 as well as accessories such as the carrying bag 53in FIGS. 3 and 15. More specifically, each tip of the bow 3 has aspring-biased member 55. In use, each end member 55 is inserted at thedesired location into the channel 49 in each side rail 45.Alternatively, each end member 55 can be inserted anywhere along thechannel 49 and then slid in the channel 49 to the desired locationbetween front and rear rails 33 and 39. If desired, the channel 49 couldhave vertically open notches therealong to aid in receiving the endmembers 55 more easily into the channels 49. The bows 18 supporting thetonneau cover 21 in FIG. 1 are also supported in the channels 49 inessentially the same manner. However, the lengths of the bows 18 areslightly greater so the bows 18 will arch between the side walls 10 tosupport the tonneau cover 21 as shown.

[0035] A feature of the present invention is this use of the channels 49and 51 in the side rails 45 to receive and secure items such as thecarrying bag 53 of FIG. 15, the array of other storage containers andaccessories 61 and 63 of FIG. 17, and the bicycle racks 65 of FIG. 18.With this channeled feature, an entire system of specialized and genericstorage containers and accessories can be selectively positioned in aneasy and convenient manner along the side walls 10 and across the box 2of the vehicle 4. This can all be done while still enabling the tonneaucover 21 to be used to selectively and independently cover the box 2.Further, the channels 49 and 51 can be used in this manner inconjunction with or separately from the storage compartment 1 of theother embodiments.

[0036] This channeled storage feature can be used as shown in FIG. 17 tohold large, flexible containers such as 61 that extend completely acrossthe box 2. However, this feature is particularly useful to store andsecure smaller containers (and their contents) such as 53 and 63 in FIG.17. That is, such smaller containers 53 and 63 could be transported inthe cabin of the vehicle 4 but this takes up valuable passenger space.Rigid tool or storage boxes can be provided in and across the box 2(typically directly behind the cabin) for such smaller containers 53 and63. However, such tool boxes are fairly difficult to access from thesides of the vehicle 4, take up storage space if not completely filled,and are not easily removable if it is desired to use the full area ofthe vehicle bed 16.

[0037] In this light and to use the tracks or channels 49 and 51 forthis purpose, the storage containers such as 53 in FIG. 15 and 61 and 63in FIG. 17 can be provided with tabs 67 (see FIG. 15) of relativelyrigid material. The tabs or belts 67 are sewn or otherwise attached tothe containers 53, 61, and 63. The tabs 67 as shown are slidablyreceivable in the channel 51 (or channel 49). Preferably, at least thechannel 51 is open ended adjacent the tailgate 6 wherein the tab 67 inFIG. 15, for example, can be slid into the channel 51 from the open rearend and then slid forward in the channel 51 to the desired location.Once in place, a locking arrangement including a pin 69 as illustratedin FIG. 16 can be inserted adjacent the open end of the channel 51through the hole 71 in the channel 51. The pin 69 can be secured inplace by a lock 73 inserted through the opening 75 in the pin shaft.Alternatively, the lock 73 could be designed to simply be insertedthrough the hole 71 eliminating the need for the pin 69. The carryingbag 53 or other containers 61 and 63 then cannot be slid rearwardly outof the channel 51 without unlocking the lock 73. Whether or not a locksuch as 73 is used, the tailgate 6 in the preferred embodiments islockable at 77 in FIG. 1 and in the closed position, the tailgate 6abuts or nearly abuts the open end of the channel 51. Consequently, withthe tailgate 6 closed, the tabs 67 of the containers 53, 61, and 63cannot be slid rearwardly out of the channel 51 (or 49) without firstunlocking and opening the tailgate 6. Further, if the containers 53, 61,and 63 themselves are also provided with locks (e.g., lockable zippers),an additional level of security against theft can be presented.

[0038] The channels or tracks 49 and 51 are preferably integrateddirectly into the retainer rails 45 (e.g., extruded aluminum or moldedplastic) for the tonneau cover 21 but could be separate if desired. Thetab/channel arrangement could also be reversed with the tab on the rail45 and the channel on the storage container 53, 61, or 63. Otherarrangements could also be used. As also mentioned above, the storagecontainers could be generic in function or specialized for individualneeds such as construction, recreation, sports, hunting, fishing, oremergency road hazards. For example, the containers could be designed tospecifically carry guns or fishing rods. The containers are preferablymade of soft or flexible material so as to be easily foldable when notin use but could be made of rigid or semi-rigid material if desired. Therails 45 of the present invention as indicated above can also be used ifdesired to support or suspend rigid or foldable racks such as 65 in FIG.18 for bicycles, skis, luggage and the like. The tonneau cover 21 ispreferably a soft one (e.g., fabric, canvas, or vinyl) but could be hard(e.g., fiberglass) if desired.

[0039] While several embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described in detail, it to be understood that various changesand modifications could be made without departing form the scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A storage system for a vehicle, said vehicle having a bed,tailgate, and at least two spaced-apart side walls extending upwardlyfrom said bed, said tailgate being pivotally mounted for movement aboutan axis between open and closed positions, said tailgate in said closedposition extending between said side walls and forming part of a boxwith said side walls, said storage system including: at least one bowmounted to said side walls to extend therebetween above the bed of thevehicle, and a storage compartment having at least first and secondpanels of flexible, foldable material, said first flexible panel beingsupported on said bow to extend substantially between the two side wallsand to depend substantially vertically downwardly from said bow to afirst location adjacent the bed of the vehicle, said first locationbeing forward of said tailgate in the closed position, said secondflexible panel of said storage compartment being attached to said firstflexible panel and extending rearwardly therefrom over the bed towardthe tailgate wherein items to be stored can be placed on said secondpanel between said first panel and said tailgate.
 2. The storage systemof claim 1 wherein said storage compartment further includes at leastone divider section of flexible, foldable material attached to saidfirst panel at a location between said side walls of the vehicle andextending rearwardly from said first panel toward the tailgate, saiddivider section forming at least two subcompartments on each sidethereof wherein items to be stored can be respectively placed on saidsecond panel in each subcompartment between said first panel and saidtailgate.
 3. The storage system of claim 2 wherein said divider sectionis removably attached to said rear panel adjacent said tailgate in afirst position to form said subcompartments and can be moved to a secondposition substantially flush against said first panel.
 4. The storagesystem of claim 3 wherein said divider section has a substantiallytriangular shape.
 5. The storage system of claim 1 further including atleast one strip of material attached to said second panel and extendingrearwardly therefrom, said strip being positionable between saidtailgate and the bed of said vehicle to be pinched therebetween whensaid tailgate is in said closed position to aid in anchoring the panelsof said storage compartment in place.
 6. The storage system of claim 1further including a tonneau cover mountable to extend over the bed ofsaid vehicle and over said storage compartment.
 7. The storage system ofclaim 6 wherein said tailgate in said open position provides rear accessto said storage compartment through a tailgate opening extending betweensaid side walls.
 8. The storage system of claim 6 wherein said tonneaucover is made of flexible, foldable material.
 9. The storage system ofclaim 1 wherein said tailgate in said open position provides rear accessto said storage compartment through a tailgate opening extending betweensaid side walls
 10. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said flexible,foldable panels of said storage compartment can be rolled up adjacentsaid bow.
 11. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said flexible,foldable panels of said storage compartment can be rolled up around saidbow.
 12. The storage system of claim 1 further including at least onerail on at least one of said side walls having a channel extendingtherealong, a storage container, and means for removably securing saidstorage container in said channel to said rail.
 13. The storage systemof claim 12 wherein said storage container includes a tab attachedthereto and slidably receivable in said channel.
 14. The storage systemof claim 12 further including means for selectively locking said securedstorage container in said channel
 15. The storage system of claim 14wherein said locking means includes a locking arrangement receivable insaid channel
 16. The storage system of claim 14 wherein said lockingmeans includes said tailgate.
 17. A storage system integrated into asoft tonneau cover for a vehicle, said vehicle having a bed, tailgate,and at least two, spaced-apart side walls extending upwardly from saidbed, said tailgate being pivotally mounted for movement about an axisbetween open and closed positions, said soft tonneau cover being made offlexible, foldable material and being positionable to extend between theside walls of the vehicle over the bed thereof, said soft tonneau coverincluding a storage compartment having at least first and second panels,said first panel being attached to said tonneau cover and dependingsubstantially vertically downwardly form said tonneau cover to a firstlocation adjacent the bed of the vehicle, said first location beingforward of the tailgate in the closed position, said second panel ofsaid storage compartment being attached to said first panel andextending rearwardly therefrom and over said bed toward said tailgatewherein items to be stored can be placed on said second panel betweensaid first panel and said tailgate.
 18. The storage system of claim 17wherein said storage compartment further includes at least one dividersection attached to said first panel at a location between said sidewalls of the vehicle and extending rearwardly from said first paneltoward the tailgate, said divider section forming at least twosubcompartments on each side thereof wherein items to be stored can berespectively placed on the second panel in each subcompartment betweensaid first panel and said tailgate.
 19. The storage system of claim 18wherein said divider section is removably attached to said rear paneladjacent said tailgate in a first position to form said subcompartmentsand can be moved to a second position substantially flush against saidfirst panel.
 20. The storage system of claim 19 wherein said dividersection has a substantially triangular shape.
 21. The storage system ofclaim 17 further including at least one strip of material attached tosaid second panel and extending rearwardly therefrom, said strip beingpositionable between said tailgate and the bed of said vehicle to bepinched therebetween when said tailgate is in said closed position toaid in anchoring the panels of said storage compartment in place
 23. Thestorage system of claim 17 wherein said tailgate in said open positionprovides rear access to said storage compartment through a tailgateopening extending between said side walls.
 24. The storage system ofclaim 17 wherein said panels of said storage compartment can be foldedup to a position adjacent said tonneau cover.
 25. The storage system ofclaim 17 further including at least one rail on at least one of saidside walls having a channel extending therealong, a storage container,and means for removably securing said storage container in said channelto said rail.
 26. The storage system of claim 25 wherein said storagecontainer includes a tab attached thereto and slidably receivable insaid channel.
 27. The storage system of claim 25 further including meansfor selectively locking said secured storage container in said channel28. The storage system of claim 27 wherein said locking means includes alocking arrangement receivable in said channel
 29. The storage system ofclaim 27 wherein said locking means includes said tailgate.